For 13 years Idaho Power has been trying to railroad the 310-mile-long B2H Boardman to Hemingway power lines through Eastern Oregon. No one wants it but IPC keeps pushing, trying to outflank the public and government agencies, state and federal.

By the time the power lines go into service they will be archaic, but IPC gets a bonus of around 10% of building cost, most of which will go into stockholders’ pockets. Nor does IPC have an adequate fire plan, not if but when the lines break and start fires. Re: The Paradise fire was ignited by PG&E. Death toll: 85 people.

Nor has weed control from building the project been properly addressed. The power lines cross the Oregon Trail numerous times but IPC could care less about preserving it or the heritage that goes with it. Their plan is to place their lines directly in front of the $16 million Oregon Trail Interpretive Center outside of Baker City. The list goes on.

Whit Deschner

Pendleton